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Astros at top, Rangers among Walking Dead in MLB Power Rankings

Astros at top, Rangers among Walking Dead in MLB Power Rankings

Houston Astros pitcher Dayan Diaz works against the Oakland Athletics in the ninth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, June 20, 2017, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

The Astros remain on top -- though the Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Dodgers are closing fast -- while the Rangers are among the “AL Walking Dead” in Wednesday’s CBS MLB Power Rankings.

Noting that they haven’t won four consecutive series for the first time this season, CBS’s Matt Snyder writes that the Astros have taken a bit of a step back after their torrid 42-16 start, while the top of the National League West is gaining ground, with three teams playing .620 or better baseball. The Rockies are just one game back of Houston for the MLB’s best record.

Meanwhile, the Rangers -- after Tuesday’s win got them to the .500 mark for the eighth time this season -- moved up one spot but also got listed among Snyder’s list of the “AL Walking Dead.”

Injuries have been an issue, and they’ve been streaky in getting to 35-35. At 12 games back of Houston in the American League West, winning the division looks like a longshot. But Texas still stands in a group of three teams just one game back of Minnesota and Tampa Bay for the second Wild Card spot. There are eight teams within two games of that second AL Wild Card.